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| Charleston.net News Commercial Real Estate Subscribe to the Post & Courier Place a Classified Ad | For Wells Fargo's Kovacevich, exiting may be tough | ||
| When Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson made nine of the nation's top banking executives an offer they couldn't refuse last week, telling them that the federal government wanted to buy stakes in their companies, Wells Fargo & Co. Chairman Richard Kovacevich pounded his fist on the table in frustration, according to people familiar with the situation. The San Francisco bank didn't need or want government help, he insisted. Mr. Kovacevich relented. But he hasn't been shy about expressing misgivings about the rescue plan. "I admire what they are trying to do," the 64-year-old Mr. Kovacevich said in an interview, declining to discuss the specifics of the meeting. "That is not saying I agree with everything being done." | |||
 | Kids' stuff is bright spot for struggling furniture industry More children, coupled with social changes encouraging separate bedrooms for kids, means consumers are expected to increase their spending on youth furniture by more than 23 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to a research firm. Parents can postpone buying a dining room set until economic times are better, “if you’re expecting, you’re going to have to buy a crib,†one executive says. College savings plans not immune to market swingsA 529 plan lets families set aside money for college, including tuition, fees, books and room and board. Distributions are tax-free. Each state offers its own menu of portfolios. You can buy into any state’s plan, but there are usually tax benefits to picking one from home. For Wells Fargo's Kovacevich, exiting may be toughWhen Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson made nine of the nation's top banking executives an offer they couldn't refuse last week, telling them that the federal government wanted to buy stakes in their companies, Wells Fargo & Co. Chairman Richard Kovacevich pounded his fist on the table in frustration, according to people familiar with the situation. The San Francisco bank didn't need or want government help, he insisted. Mr. Kovacevich relented. But he hasn't been shy about expressing misgivings about the rescue plan. "I admire what they are trying to do," the 64-year-old Mr. Kovacevich said in an interview, declining to discuss the specifics of the meeting. "That is not saying I agree with everything being done." Car TalkQ. Perhaps you can help me make a decision. I drive a ’98 Honda Prelude, and I’ve had it since it was new. It has been the best car I’ve ever owned (I’m 78). It performs flawlessly. I groom it and service it and love it. Recently, I took a drive in the country with a new lady friend. The weather was beautiful, and things were going along swimmingly. I turned on my stereo for a little classical music to enhance our experience. She said, “That’s too loud.†I looked at her and said, “But it’s very low.†She replied: “I think you might have some hearing loss and should look into it. I used to work for an audiologist, and it’s very common for our hearing to deteriorate as we age.†So, I went to a local hearing-aid facility, and to make a long story short, they fit me with a pair on a trial basis. Well, the next time I got into my car, I could hear rattles and squeaks that were very troubling. I took out the hearing aids, and lo and behold, it was quiet again. My dilemma is: Should I spend $6,000 for hearing aids, or buy a new car and trade in the Prelude? They don’t make them anymore, and I’d like to keep it and also the new woman I met. Help! TOM: Oh, boy. That date may end up costing you $25 grand!  | ||
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